boudoir

A wonderfully conceived and deftly executed art deco original risque artwork from Rolf Armstrong’s short tenure in Hollywood. This large pastel dates to 1932 and is a rare nude by the Father of American pin up. This transcendent work was unearthed in the late 1990s in the estate of a one of Armstrong’s former models. This important piece was exhibited at a solo show of the artist’s work in 1999 at the Bruce R. Lewin Gallery in New York City. A program from the exhibition featuring “The Blue Nude” is included with sale.

The Blue Nude

Artist: Rolf Armstrong

An original gouache humorous Edwardian boudoir themed interior painting for the notorious French publication La Vie Parisienne. The long running, blatantly at times erotic and racy magazine that chronicled the exploits and sexual proclivities of sassy and free spirited French follies showgirls and their often dim witted suitors in risque, breezy, spicy pulp-like fashion. Maurice Milliere was a frequent contributor of cover illustrations. French text on margin translates to “I’m all that you have”. This is framed in a museum quality genuine gold gilt hand carved frame .

La Noblesse en Folie

Artist: Maurice Milliere

Perhaps the finest Rolf Armstrong original pastel ever offered for sale and one of only a hand full of nudes done by this iconic American illustrator. This original pastel was one of three nudes Armstrong did in the 1930’s. It was marketed as a calendar print titled, “Rosalie” as well as “Hollywood Venus”. This large, reclining nude was clearly a personal favorite of Armstrong’s. It hung on his studio walls throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. This is a large and monumental art deco masterwork by the Father of the American Pin-Up. With an expensive gallery frame, this pastel is in pristine condition with unfaded vibrant colors.

The Hollywood Venus

Artist: Rolf Armstrong

This large and colorful noir montage by Alexander Sharpe Ross was created as an interior illustration for a mid 1950’s American mainstream slick magazine. Ross was a leading American illustrator of the time with work featured on the covers of Good Housekeeping, The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal and Colliers. Along with a handful of key illustrators — Coby Whitmore, John Whitcomb, Al Parker, and Norman Rockwell — Ross helped create an indelible image of Americans in the post WWII decades.

Mid-Century Voodoo Doll

Artist: Alex Ross

A skillfully executed, sexy and coyly posed nude interior scene. This lovely piece is a large oil on canvas by the painter and portraitist Frederick Elwood Wallace a very well listed Virginia artist (1893-1958). His portraiture is seen in numerous museums and government offices, and he is listed in Davenports, Who’s Who In American Art, The Artists Bluebook, and countless other art references. Work retains its original wood faux painted frame. A nice, fresh, new to the market Texas Estate find.

Reclining Nude With a String of Pearls

Artist: Frederick Wallace

An original World War II era pin-up illustration featuring a Marlene Dietrich – esque lovelorn pin-up admiring her 2 enlisted men presumably stationed in Europe ” over there ” as it were… Classic bad girl campy imagery which was used as art for a Mennon gift box for Men lithographed box for the set which is included in the sale. Signed Bischoff on the box (only, not on gouache artwork itself). This is by Herman E. Bischoff an illustrator that worked for Esquire Magazine and created covers for Liberty magazine during the 1940s – 50s.

Lovelorn Beauty Admires 2 WWII Soldiers

Artist: Herman Bischoff

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